QUICK ANSWER: What Size Flat Bottom Bag Do I Need?
Flat bottom bags are measured as Width (W) x Depth (D) x Height (H) in millimeters. The right size depends on your product weight and density. Standard sizes range from 100x60x150mm (50g) to 280x160x550mm (5kg).
• Coffee 250g: 130 x 80 x 265mm (most popular size)
• Tea 100g: 120 x 70 x 200mm
• Pet Food 1kg: 180 x 110 x 380mm
• Snacks 500g: 150 x 95 x 320mm
Key Rule: Choose a size that fills 80-85% when packed for optimal shelf presence.
Table of Contents
• 1. Understanding Bag Dimensions (W x D x H)
• 2. How to Measure Your Product
• 3. Standard Size Chart
• 4. Size Selection by Product Type
• 5. Common Sizing Mistakes to Avoid
• 6. Custom Size Options
• 7. How to Order the Right Size
• 8. FAQ
1. Understanding Flat Bottom Bag Dimensions
Flat bottom bags use a three-dimensional measurement system: Width (W) x Depth (D) x Height (H). Understanding these measurements is crucial for choosing the right packaging size.
Dimension Definitions
Dimension
Definition
Impact
Width (W)
Front face measurement, left to right
Determines shelf presence and label area
Depth (D)
Side gusset measurement, front to back
Creates flat bottom stability and standing ability
Height (H)
Top to bottom measurement including seal area
Determines total volume capacity
PRO TIP: Always measure in millimeters (mm) for precision. Most suppliers use mm as the standard unit. 1 inch = 25.4mm.
2. How to Measure Your Product for Packaging
Selecting the right bag size requires measuring your product correctly and accounting for filling variables. Follow these steps for accurate sizing.
Step-by-Step Measurement Process
Step
Action
Details
1
Measure Product Volume
Pour product into a measuring container to determine actual volume in ml
2
Add Fill Space
Add 15-20% extra space for filling equipment and sealing area
3
Account for Settling
Granular products settle 10-15% during shipping - factor this in
4
Consider Aesthetics
Aim for 80-85% fill level for professional shelf appearance
Quick Sizing Formula
SIZING FORMULA
Bag Width = Product Width + 20mm
Bag Height = Product Height + 50mm (for sealing area)
Bag Depth = 50-60% of Bag Width (for stability)
3. Standard Flat Bottom Bag Size Chart
Below is a comprehensive size chart covering standard flat bottom bag sizes. These dimensions work for most products, though custom sizes are available.
Complete Size Reference Table
Size Name
W x D x H (mm)
Volume
Best For
MOQ
XS (50g)
100 x 60 x 150
~90ml
Tea samples, spice sachets
5,000
S (100g)
120 x 70 x 200
~170ml
Premium tea, small coffee
3,000
M (250g)
130 x 80 x 265
~275ml
Standard coffee, snacks
2,000
L (500g)
150 x 95 x 320
~460ml
Family coffee, pet treats
1,500
XL (1kg)
180 x 110 x 380
~750ml
Bulk coffee, pet food
1,000
XXL (2kg)
220 x 130 x 450
~1280ml
Large pet food, bulk nuts
800
Bulk (5kg)
280 x 160 x 550
~2460ml
Commercial, wholesale
500
4. Size Selection by Product Type
Different products have different density characteristics that affect size selection. Here's a guide for common product categories.
Coffee Packaging Sizes
Weight
Whole Bean
Ground Coffee
Notes
250g
130 x 80 x 265mm
120 x 75 x 250mm
Most popular retail size
500g
150 x 95 x 320mm
140 x 90 x 300mm
Family/club size
1kg
180 x 110 x 380mm
170 x 105 x 360mm
Bulk/wholesale
Tea Packaging Sizes
Weight
Loose Leaf Tea
Herbal/Flower Tea
Notes
50g
100 x 60 x 150mm
120 x 70 x 180mm
Sample/gift size
100g
120 x 70 x 200mm
140 x 85 x 230mm
Standard retail size
250g
130 x 80 x 250mm
160 x 95 x 300mm
Value/bulk size
PRO TIP: Herbal and flower teas are much bulkier than traditional leaf tea. Use sizes 20-30% larger than standard tea sizes for the same weight.
5. Common Sizing Mistakes to Avoid
Choosing the wrong bag size can lead to product damage, poor presentation, or wasted packaging costs. Here are the most common mistakes and how to avoid them.
Mistake
Problem
Solution
Too Small
Product doesn't fit, bag tears during filling
Use larger size with 15-20% extra space
Too Large
Product looks lost, poor shelf presence
Choose size that fills to 80-85% capacity
Wrong Depth
Bag won't stand upright or tips over
Depth should be 50-60% of width for stability
Ignoring Settling
Bag appears half-empty after shipping
Account for 10-15% settling of granular products
WARNING: Always order samples before committing to large quantities. Testing with actual product is the only way to confirm proper sizing.
6. Custom Size Options
When standard sizes don't meet your needs, custom dimensions are available. Here's what you need to know about ordering custom-sized flat bottom bags.
Custom Option
Range Available
Considerations
Custom Width
80mm - 350mm
Affects printing plate and material width
Custom Depth
50mm - 200mm
Must maintain 50-60% width ratio for stability
Custom Height
100mm - 600mm
Very tall bags may have stability issues
Custom MOQ
From 1,000 pcs
Lower MOQ available for simple designs
PRO TIP: Custom sizes typically add 10-15% to the cost and 1-2 weeks to lead time. Consider if a standard size can work before ordering custom.
7. How to Order the Right Size
Follow this process to ensure you order the correct size for your product.
Ordering Process
Step
Action
What to Provide
1
Contact Us
Product type, target weight, quantity needed
2
Get Size Recommendation
We suggest optimal size based on your product
3
Request Samples
Test with actual product before bulk order
4
Confirm & Order
Finalize size, material, design, and quantity
Need Help Choosing the Right Size?
Our packaging experts can recommend the perfect size for your product.
Q1: What size flat bottom bag do I need for 250g of coffee?
A: For 250g of whole bean coffee, the standard size is 130 x 80 x 265mm. For ground coffee (which is denser), 120 x 75 x 250mm works well. Always test with your specific coffee to confirm.
Q2: How do I convert inches to millimeters for bag sizes?
A: Multiply inches by 25.4 to get millimeters. For example, 5 inches = 127mm (5 × 25.4). Most international packaging uses millimeters as the standard unit.
Q3: What's the minimum order quantity for custom sizes?
A: Custom size MOQ typically starts at 1,000 pieces for simple designs. Standard sizes have lower MOQ options starting from 500 pieces. Contact us for specific requirements.
Q4: Why does my product look half-empty after filling?
A: This is usually due to product settling during shipping (10-15% for granular products) or choosing a bag that's too large. Consider using a smaller size or overfilling slightly to compensate for settling.
Q5: Can I get samples to test sizes before ordering?
A: Yes! We provide free samples of standard sizes for testing. For custom sizes, we can create sample bags (sample fee may apply). Testing with your actual product is always recommended.
Q6: What's the ideal depth-to-width ratio for stability?
A: For optimal stability, the depth should be 50-60% of the width. For example, if width is 130mm, depth should be 65-78mm. This ensures the bag stands upright without tipping.
Q7: How much space should I leave for sealing?
A: Reserve 30-50mm at the top for proper sealing. This allows for heat sealing equipment clearance and zipper functionality if present. The height dimension includes this seal area.
Q8: Do different materials require different sizes?
A: The material doesn't affect the size needed for your product volume. However, thicker materials (like aluminum foil laminate) may make the bag slightly less flexible. Consider 5-10% larger for thicker materials.
Select your packaging needs by filtering through our comprehensive categories. If you don't find what you're looking for, feel free to contact us for custom solutions.
